List of Penny Dreadful episodes
Penny Dreadful is a British–American horror drama television series created and written by John Logan, who serves as executive producer along with Sam Mendes and Pippa Harris. The title refers to the penny dreadfuls, a type of 19th-century cheap British fiction publication with lurid and sensational subject matter.
The series draws upon many public-domain characters from 19th-century Irish and British fiction, including Dorian Gray from Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray, Mina Harker and Abraham Van Helsing from Bram Stoker's Dracula, Victor Frankenstein and his monster from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, and Dr. Henry Jekyll from Robert Louis Stevenson's Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
The series premiered on Showtime on May 11, 2014.[1] As of July 5, 2015, 18 episodes of Penny Dreadful have aired, concluding the second season. The series was renewed for a nine-episode third season,[2] which will premiere on May 1, 2016.[3]
Series overview
Season | Episodes | Originally aired | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
First aired | Last aired | |||
1 | 8 | May 11, 2014 | June 29, 2014 | |
2 | 10 | May 3, 2015 | July 5, 2015 | |
3 | 9 | May 1, 2016[3] | 2016 |
Episodes
Season 1 (2014)
No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | U.S. viewers (millions) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | "Night Work" | J. A. Bayona | John Logan | May 11, 2014 | 0.872[4] |
The episode opens in Victorian England on September 22, 1891, with the brutal abduction of a woman and her daughter who are later found mutilated and dismembered. Meanwhile, the enigmatic Vanessa Ives enlists the skilled marksman/showman Ethan Chandler to do some "night work". She introduces him to Sir Malcolm Murray, father of the recently-abducted Mina Harker. The trio infiltrate a vampire nest in search of Mina. They find and kill a vicious vampire, later enlisting Victor Frankenstein to examine it. The autopsy reveals hieroglyphs etched beneath its skin, which are later found to be from the Egyptian Book of the Dead. Ethan, overwhelmed by the new world opening before him, takes his payment and leaves Vanessa and Sir Malcolm's service, but is later tempted to return. In his laboratory, Frankenstein brings life to a dead body. | ||||||
2 | 2 | "Séance" | J. A. Bayona | John Logan | May 18, 2014 | 0.722[5] |
Sir Malcolm offers his assistance with the "Ripper" case, proclaiming that they should be looking for a beast, not a man. Ethan befriends Brona Croft, a sickly prostitute, who later has an erotic encounter with the seductive and charming Dorian Gray. Vanessa and Sir Malcolm attend Ferdinand Lyle's party. There, Vanessa meets Dorian, and the two are deeply drawn to one another. The guests take part in a séance led by a spiritualist named Madame Kali, where Vanessa is possessed by evil spirits, who accuse Sir Malcolm of leaving his son to die. The next day, Ferdinand studies the other photographed hieroglyphics and discovers that they are a resurrection spell invoking Amunet and Amun-Ra, who will bring about the apocalypse if united. He concludes that Vanessa is being hunted by them. Victor's newly animated creation chooses a name – Proteus. They become close friends, but their time together is cut short when Proteus is murdered by Victor's "firstborn", Caliban, an earlier creation. | ||||||
3 | 3 | "Resurrection" | Dearbhla Walsh | John Logan | May 25, 2014 | 0.734[6] |
Victor is forced to listen to the story of his first creation. He was abandoned by Victor after he was created, and wandered the streets until an actor took pity on him and gave him a job in the Grand Guignol theatre. Lonely, the creature demands that Victor give him a mate. Ethan joins Vanessa and Sir Malcolm's company once again. Vanessa's visions of Mina lead the group to the London Zoo, where they encounter and capture Fenton, a vampire thrall. Sir Malcolm reveals his suspicion that Mina is being used as bait to lure a greater prize—Vanessa. | ||||||
4 | 4 | "Demimonde" | Dearbhla Walsh | John Logan | June 1, 2014 | 0.730[7] |
Vanessa grows increasingly infatuated with Dorian. Victor and Professor Van Helsing study Fenton's blood, hoping to manufacture a cure. Sir Malcolm and Victor come face to face with a vampire; Fenton is killed in the ensuing conflict. Concluding that he allowed himself to be captured, Sir Malcolm and Vanessa discuss the probability that Mina is too far gone to save. Unnerved at seeing Ethan so comfortable around Dorian and Vanessa, Brona ends her relationship with him, citing her terminal illness. Heartbroken, Ethan drowns his sorrows with Dorian, culminating in a sexual encounter. | ||||||
5 | 5 | "Closer Than Sisters" | Coky Giedroyc | John Logan | June 8, 2014 | 0.797[8] |
Vanessa, through a letter to Mina, relates their backstory. The Ives and Murray families were neighbors and friends, to the point where Vanessa and Mina were considered closer than sisters, and it was accepted as a foregone conclusion that Vanessa would marry Mina's frail brother Peter. As a young girl, Vanessa caught Sir Malcolm and her mother having an affair. Although she kept it a secret, she says the experience led her to embrace her dark side, culminating in seducing Mina's fiancé the night before their wedding. The families severed ties after this, the strain of which caused Vanessa's clairvoyance and mediumship to manifest. She was committed to an asylum, an experience which left her mostly catatonic. Vanessa recovered with the assistance of an evil spirit that took Sir Malcolm's form. Some time later, Vanessa encountered Mina, who forgave her for her transgression, but revealed that she had already been kidnapped by the master vampire. This inspired Vanessa to seek out Sir Malcolm and begin their search. | ||||||
6 | 6 | "What Death Can Join Together" | Coky Giedroyc | John Logan | June 15, 2014 | 0.681[9] |
Sir Malcolm, Ethan and Sembene track the vampires to a quarantined ship and learn that Mina is closer than they thought. Not trusting Vanessa, Sir Malcolm encourages her to spend the evening with Dorian, but she cuts it short when the spirit haunting her rears its head. Brona reconciles with Ethan, but her condition worsens. Van Helsing attempts to pass on to Frankenstein what he knows of vampires, but is murdered by Caliban, who intends to continue killing those close to his creator. | ||||||
7 | 7 | "Possession" | James Hawes | John Logan | June 22, 2014 | 0.799[10] |
Vanessa's evening with Dorian allows a demon to possess her. Sir Malcolm engages the help of Ethan, Victor and Sembene to restrain her, but her condition worsens as time passes. Sir Malcolm finally allows a Catholic priest into the house to administer last rites, but when Vanessa attacks the priest as he begins, Ethan manages to perform an exorcism on Vanessa by himself. Vanessa collapses, but emerges from her room later. She informs Sir Malcolm that she now knows where Mina is. | ||||||
8 | 8 | "Grand Guignol" | James Hawes | John Logan | June 29, 2014 | 0.856[11] |
Vanessa rejects Dorian's further advances, noting that he is not good for her. Caliban's first love ends poorly, and he is forced to leave the theatre, returning to Victor's lodgings. Victor initially tries to kill his creation, but takes pity on him instead. Brona's consumption nears its end. Unbeknownst to Ethan, Victor smothers her and uses her body to create a mate for Caliban. When Sir Malcolm's team finds Mina in the Grand Guignol theatre, she captures Vanessa, intending to make Vanessa her master's bride. Sir Malcolm kills Mina to save Vanessa. While mourning over Brona's death, Ethan is approached by two Pinkerton detectives determined to return him to America and to his father. He transforms into a werewolf and kills them. Vanessa requests an exorcism from a priest, who asks her if she truly wants to be normal. |
Season 2 (2015)
No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | U.S. viewers (millions) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
9 | 1 | "Fresh Hell" | James Hawes | John Logan | April 19, 2015 (online) May 3, 2015 (Showtime) | 0.575[12] |
Vanessa is barraged by an onslaught of disturbing occult images brought on by the mysterious Evelyn Poole. Because of the massacre he committed in the Mariner’s Inn, Ethan believes he needs to leave London. Dr. Frankenstein works to bring Brona back to life while under the pressure from Caliban, who, in search of work after being let go at the Grand Guignol, applies at a wax museum. After Mina's funeral, Sir Malcolm returns to London to discover that a whole new evil is hunting Vanessa. | ||||||
10 | 2 | "Verbis Diablo" | James Hawes | John Logan | May 10, 2015 | 0.536[13] |
A distressed Vanessa looks for comfort from Sir Malcolm, who takes her to a underground care facility for people suffering from cholera. Dr. Frankenstein begins his work with Brona. A Scotland Yard inspector tracks down the sole survivor of the Mariner's Inn Massacre. Evelyn begins her manipulation of Sir Malcolm. Dorian Gray meets Angelique, a mysterious woman. Ferdinand Lyle reveals the secrets of the Verbis Diablo. Hecate Poole murders a family and takes their infant. Ferdinand is revealed to be being blackmailed by Evelyn and her coven into spying on the group, before Hecate returns with a bag containing the lifeless body of the infant. Evelyn takes the bag in a chamber room filled with voodoo dolls. She removes the organs of the infant and sews them into a life-size doll of Vanessa. | ||||||
11 | 3 | "The Nightcomers" | Brian Kirk | John Logan | May 17, 2015 | 0.639[14] |
A young Vanessa harnesses her fledgling powers as a witch from the Cut-Wife, a trainer and master of the dark arts, but as she sees the extent of Vanessa's powers, the Cut-Wife warns her of the dangers that lie ahead and the evil that will chase her until the end of her days. | ||||||
12 | 4 | "Evil Spirits in Heavenly Places" | Damon Thomas | John Logan | May 24, 2015 | 0.640[15] |
Lyle divulges how the grim and disconcerting history behind the Verbis Diablo relics affects Vanessa; Bartholomew Rusk speaks with a survivor of the Mariner's Inn Massacre; Hecate does her best to get close to Ethan. | ||||||
13 | 5 | "Above the Vaulted Sky" | Damon Thomas | John Logan | May 31, 2015 | 0.712[16] |
Vanessa, Ethan, and Sir Malcolm strive to work together as a team to defend the old mansion from another attack; Caliban becomes increasingly impatient with Frankenstein; Hecate returns from her travels with a gift for her mother. | ||||||
14 | 6 | "Glorious Horrors" | James Hawes | John Logan | June 7, 2015 | 0.566[17] |
Dorian throws an elaborate ball to introduce Angelique to high society, but the evening turns into a scarring experience for a helpless Vanessa; Lavinia Putney is troubled by a frightening encounter with Caliban; Sembene makes a shocking discovery about Ethan. | ||||||
15 | 7 | "Little Scorpion" | Brian Kirk | John Logan | June 14, 2015 | 0.572[18] |
Vanessa and Ethan retreat to the Cut-Wife's cottage on the moors, where they become accustomed to the surroundings until a figure from Vanessa's past resurfaces; Lyle and Dr. Frankenstein learn more about the Verbis Diablo relics. | ||||||
16 | 8 | "Memento Mori" | Kari Skogland | John Logan | June 21, 2015 | 0.523[19] |
Caliban lets loose his anger on Dr. Frankenstein over events involving Brona; Angelique discovers Dorian's secret room; Rusk puts together a connection between Sir Malcolm and Ethan Chandler; Sir Malcolm is put under a spell when he goes to meet Evelyn. | ||||||
17 | 9 | "And Hell Itself My Only Foe" | Brian Kirk | John Logan | June 28, 2015 | 0.604[20] |
Vanessa and Ethan discover that Sir Malcolm is in jeopardy; an enraged Vanessa goes to do battle with Evelyn while Ethan journeys to her mansion, and Dr. Frankenstein, Sembene and Lyle join him; Brona exposes her true self to Dorian. | ||||||
18 | 10 | "And They Were Enemies" | Brian Kirk | John Logan | July 5, 2015 | 0.746[21] |
Vanessa ventures to London to come to Sir Malcolm's rescue against the hold of the witches and rely on her strength of soul and mind to defeat the Demon; a troubled Ethan leaves behind a heart-breaking trail of blood. Caliban escapes his captors and sets off for an icy wasteland. Lily joins with Dorian which leaves Victor broken and alone as he begins his descent into madness. |
Season 3
No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | U.S. viewers (millions) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
19 | 1 | "The Day Tennyson Died"[22] | TBA | John Logan | May 1, 2016[3] | TBD |
References
- ↑ Reiher, Andrea (January 16, 2014). "'Penny Dreadful,' 'Nurse Jackie' and 'Californication' get premiere dates". Zap2it. Retrieved August 2, 2014.
- ↑ Littleton, Cynthia (June 16, 2015). "‘Penny Dreadful’ Renewed For Season 3 By Showtime". Variety. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
- 1 2 3 Roots, Kimberly (January 12, 2016). "Penny Dreadful Gets Season 3 Premiere Date at Showtime". TVLine. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
- ↑ "Sunday's Cable Ratings & Broadcast Finals: "Good Wife," "Game of Thrones" Top Viewers, Demos". The Futon Critic. May 13, 2014. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
- ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (May 20, 2014). "Sunday Cable Ratings: ‘Game of Thrones’ Wins Night + ‘Silicon Valley’, ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’, ‘River Monsters’, ‘Married to Medicine’ & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
- ↑ Bibel, Sara (May 28, 2014). "Sunday Cable Ratings: NBA Playoffs Win Night, 'Mad Men', 'Devious Maids', 'Total Divas', 'Married to Medicine', 'Turn' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 29, 2014.
- ↑ "Sunday's Cable Ratings & Broadcast Finals: Another Week, Another "Game of Thrones" Victory". The Futon Critic. June 3, 2014. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
- ↑ Bibel, Sara (June 10, 2014). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Game of Thrones' Wins Night, 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians', 'Devious Maids', 'Veep', 'Turn' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
- ↑ "Sunday's Cable Ratings & Broadcast Finals: NBA Finals Go Out on Top for ABC". The Futon Critic. June 18, 2014. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
- ↑ Bibel, Sara (June 24, 2014). "Sunday Cable Ratings: World Cup Soccer Wins Night, 'True Blood', 'The Last Ship', 'Falling Skies','Devious Maids', 'Penny Dreadful' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved June 24, 2014.
- ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (June 30, 2014). "'Penny Dreadful' Season Finale Draws 856,000 Total Viewers; Second Most-Watched Episode Behind Premiere". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
- ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (May 5, 2015). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 100 Sunday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 5.3.2015". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
- ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (May 12, 2015). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 100 Sunday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 5.10.2015". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
- ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (May 19, 2015). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 100 Sunday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 5.17.2015". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 19, 2015.
- ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (May 27, 2015). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 100 Sunday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 5.24.2015". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
- ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (June 2, 2015). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 100 Sunday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 5.31.2015". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
- ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (June 9, 2015). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 100 Sunday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 6.7.2015". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
- ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (June 16, 2015). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 100 Sunday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 6.14.2015". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
- ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (June 23, 2015). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 100 Sunday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 6.21.2015". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
- ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (June 30, 2015). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 100 Sunday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 6.28.2015". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
- ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (July 8, 2015). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 100 Sunday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 7.5.2015". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
- ↑ King, Christopher (August 24, 2015). "Title page for Episode 1 of Season 3 of #PennyDreadful #thedaytennysondied @SHO_Penny @skyatlantic @SHO_PR". Twitter. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
External links
- Official website
- List of Penny Dreadful episodes at the Internet Movie Database